Which is Better between the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback? A Very Detailed Review.

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Redbone Coonhound Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Redbone Coonhound and for the Rhodesian Ridgeback. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Redbone Coonhound or the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Redbone Coonhound versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Overview

A very important difference between the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Redbone Coonhound is a medium-sized dog while the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are Hound Dogs. This means both the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Redbone Coonhound versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Redbone Coonhound to the Rhodesian Ridgeback based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Factor Redbone Coonhound Rhodesian Ridgeback
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 12 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 2/5
Height 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Weight 45 to 70 pounds 70 to 85 pounds
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $530 $1620
Price Range $300 – $600 $1250 – $1900
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 84.2 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination. Exams are recommended annually to age 9, annual recertifcation is required
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 141 40

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Redbone Coonhound in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Rhodesian Ridgeback. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Redbone Coonhound is 72 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a better pet than the Redbone Coonhound. So, you should get the Rhodesian Ridgeback!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Below is a list of where the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are most different:

  • Redbone Coonhounds adapt well to apartment living. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Redbone Coonhounds have a very high tendency to drool. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Redbone Coonhounds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • The Similarities Between the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are most similar:

  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Redbone Coonhound versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    Redbone Coonhounds weigh 45 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Redbone Coonhounds are 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Rhodesian Ridgebacks weigh 70 to 85 pounds when fully grown. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Redbone Coonhound versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The lifespan of Redbone Coonhounds is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Redbone Coonhounds is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Rhodesian Ridgebacks is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Rhodesian Ridgebacks is 11.0 years.

    Temperament of the Redbone Coonhound Versus the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The Redbone Coonhound has a better temperament than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    This is because the temperament score for the Redbone Coonhound is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 84.2 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Redbone Coonhound has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 84.2 percent, the Rhodesian Ridgeback has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback by measuring the temperaments of 5 Redbone Coonhounds and 563 Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Price of Redbone Coonhound versus Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The average price of the Redbone Coonhound puppy is $530. The price of the Redbone Coonhound typically ranges from $300 – $600. However, the price of a Redbone Coonhound can be as low as $200 and as high as $1500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 102 Redbone Coonhound puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy is $1620. The price of the Rhodesian Ridgeback typically ranges from $1250 – $1900. However, the price of the Rhodesian Ridgeback can be as low as $500 and as high as $2850. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 175 Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Rhodesian Ridgeback is more expensive than the Redbone Coonhound.

    Redbone Coonhound Rhodesian Ridgeback
    Average Price $530 $1620
    Price Range $300 to $600 $1250 to $1900

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Redbone Coonhound and Rhodesian Ridgeback. For different price points, the charts show how many Redbone Coonhound puppies or how many Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Redbone Coonhounds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Redbone Coonhounds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Rhodesian Ridgebacks

    A breakdown of the prices of Rhodesian Ridgebacks

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Redbone Coonhound puppy or the Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Adopting the Redbone Coonhound versus Adopting the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Redbone Coonhounds and many Rhodesian Ridgebacks are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Redbone Coonhound named Jed that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Redbone Coonhounds like Jed on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Redbone Coonhounds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are also available for adoption. For example, Mufasa 21-12-102 is a Male Rhodesian Ridgeback that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Rhodesian Ridgebacks like Mufasa 21-12-102 that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Rhva-Stray-Rh1325 is the name of another Redbone Coonhound (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Redbone Coonhounds and Rhodesian Ridgebacks that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Redbone Coonhound versus Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is more popular with dog owners than the Redbone Coonhound. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 40 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Redbone Coonhound is 141 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Redbone Coonhound

    Popularity of Redbone Coonhound

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Year Redbone Coonhound Popularity Rank Rhodesian Ridgeback Popularity Rank
    2013 133 39
    2014 148 39
    2015 139 40
    2016 143 42
    2017 139 41
    2018 142 41
    2019 143 42
    2020 146 42

    Tolerates Being Alone: Redbone Coonhound versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Redbone Coonhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.

    Do Redbone Coonhounds shed more than Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Redbone Coonhounds do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Redbone Coonhound or the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Redbone Coonhounds have a very high tendency to drool.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Redbone Coonhound or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Redbone Coonhounds are very easy to groom.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.

    Does the Redbone Coonhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Redbone Coonhounds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Redbone Coonhounds Bark and Howl? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Redbone Coonhounds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Redbone Coonhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Redbone Coonhounds can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Redbone Coonhound vs. Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Redbone Coonhounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Redbone Coonhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Redbone Coonhounds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Redbone Coonhound or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Redbone Coonhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Redbone Coonhounds good family dogs? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Redbone Coonhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Redbone Coonhounds and Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Redbone Coonhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Redbone Coonhound Easier to Train than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Redbone Coonhounds are fairly easy to train.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.

    Is the Redbone Coonhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Redbone Coonhounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Redbone Coonhound or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Redbone Coonhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Redbone Coonhound

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Redbone Coonhound that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Redbone Coonhound:

  • Bluetick Coonhound (81 percent match with Redbone Coonhound). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Bluetick Coonhound.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Rhodesian Ridgeback that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Rhodesian Ridgeback:

  • Black Mouth Cur (79 percent match with Rhodesian Ridgeback). Here is our comparison of the Redbone Coonhound vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bracco Italiano (80 percent match with Rhodesian Ridgeback). Here is our comparison of the Redbone Coonhound vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Redbone Coonhound and how the Rhodesian Ridgeback compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Redbone Coonhound and of the Rhodesian Ridgeback to other breeds:

    Redbone Coonhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Redbone Coonhound versus Standard Poodle     Redbone Coonhound versus Toy Poodle     Redbone Coonhound versus Bloodhound     Redbone Coonhound versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Redbone Coonhound versus Bichon Frise     Redbone Coonhound versus Golden Retriever     Redbone Coonhound versus Karelian Bear Dog     Redbone Coonhound versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Redbone Coonhound versus Maltese     Redbone Coonhound versus Papipoo     Redbone Coonhound versus Aussiedoodle     Redbone Coonhound versus Irish Water Spaniel     Redbone Coonhound versus Sealyham Terrier     Redbone Coonhound versus Lancashire Heeler     Redbone Coonhound versus Shiranian     Redbone Coonhound versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Redbone Coonhound versus Mountain Cur     Redbone Coonhound versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Redbone Coonhound versus Border Collie     Redbone Coonhound versus Japanese Spitz     Redbone Coonhound versus Peek A Poo     Redbone Coonhound versus Belgian Malinois     Redbone Coonhound versus Karelian Bear Dog     Redbone Coonhound versus Fila Brasileiro     Redbone Coonhound versus Cocker Spaniel     

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bloodhound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Affenhuahua     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Peek A Poo     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Biewer Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Frenchton     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Welsh Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Redbone Coonhound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus West Highland White Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Puli     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Miniature Schnauzer     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Tibetan Spaniel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Sheepadoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Shiranian     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Toy Poodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Komondor     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Westiepoo     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Afghan Hound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Shiba Inu     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Irish Wolfhound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus American Foxhound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Schnoodle     

    Conclusion: Redbone Coonhound versus Rhodesian Ridgeback. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback better suits you and your family.